Bottle filling and capping machine or the like



June 26, 1923. I RAfiQZlU R. NICHOLAS BOTTLE FILLING AND CAPPING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed June 26 1918 ll Sheets-Sheet 1 June 26, 1923. 1,460,210

R. L. NICHOLAS BOTTLE FILLING AND CAPPING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed June 26 1918 11 Sheets-5heet 2 ,g/A, bar/mom June 26, 1923. EAWQW R. L. NICHOLAS BOTTLE FILLING AND CAPPING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed June 26 .1918 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 June 26, 1923.

R. L. NICHOLAS BOTTLE FILLING AND CAPPING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Fild June 26, 1918 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 26, 11923. HAGQZW R. L. NICHOLAS BOTTLE FILLING AND CAPPING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed June 26 1918 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 HAMLZHQ June 26, 11923.

R. L. NICHOLAS BOTTLE FILLING AND CAPPING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed June 26 1918 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 Juzz/t/LZZP fil/o L, MCAO/QS 4 M HAGZM June 26, 1923.

R. L. NICHOLAS BOTTLE FILLING AND CAPPING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed June 26 1918 11 Sheets-Sheet '7 June 26, 1923. mwzm R. L. NICHQLAS BOTTLE FILLING AND CAPPING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed June 26, 1918 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 June 26, 1923.

R. L. NDCHOLAS BOTTLE FILLING AND CAPPJENG MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed June 26 1918 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 June 26,1923. 1,460,210 R. L. NICHOLAS BOTTLE FILLING AND CAPPING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed June 26 1918 ll Sheets-Sheet JO June 26, 1923.

-R. L. NICHOLAS BOTTLE FILLING AND CAPPING MACHINE OR'THE LIKE Filed June ,26 1918 11 Sheets-Shqet 11 Patented dime 26, 1923.

ROLL-O L. NICHOLAS, OF CHICAGO, ILJL INOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WILL RATZENSTEIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BOTTLE FILLING AND CAPPING MACHINE OR THE LIKE.

Application fi led June 26, 1918. Serial No. 241,910.

To all whom c'tmuty concern:

Be it known that I, RoLLo L. NICHOLAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bottle Filling and Gapping Machines or the like, of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that general class of devices known as bottle filling and capping machines, and relates articularly to a machine especially suitable for the bottling I of milk and cream, or like liquids, and capping of bottles after the same are filled. The invention has among its objects the production-of an automatic machine of the kind described that is simple, convenient, eiiicient compact, durable and adjustable for various size bottles, for use wherever found applicable. The invention has particularly as an object the production of a machine which will be rapid in operation, which will accurately fill the bottles without any loss of milk, which may be adjusted in a sim lemanner so as to fill various sizes of bott es, .and which will handle the milk andbott'les in a cleanly and sanitary manner. With my improved machine, a minimum of labor and power is required, the bottles are handled so as to avoid breakage, and thene is no loss of milk. but on the other hanctthe machine will fill the bottle with the desired or uniform amount otmilk, depending on the size of the bottle, withoutbeing under or over measure. Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosures herein given,

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination ofparts herein shown and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

in the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved machine; 1. a

Fig. 2 is a top elevation of the same, a portion of the same broken away illustraic the construction;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. '2;-

Fig. 4 isa' sectional view taken substan tially on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detailed View illustrating the operation of one of the fingers;

Fig. 6 is a similar view illustrating the finger in operative position;

Fig. 7 tially on line 77 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken tally on line 88 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 99 of Fig. 10; I

Fig. 10 is a side elevation ofthe capping mechanism; a

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 11'11 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 12-12 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a view in elevation of the upper portion of the capping mechanism;

Fig. 14 is aplan. view of the same;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken substan tially on line 15-15 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 16-16 of Fig. 3; a

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 17-17 of Fig. 18; Y

substan- Fig. 18' is a sectional view taken substan- Fig. 21 is a view in elevation of the valve;

Fig. 22 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2222 of Fig. 21; y

Fig. 2B is a sectional view taken substantial 1y on line 23-23 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a plan view of one of the carriers;

Fig. 25 is a sectional view and side elevation taken substantially on line 25-25 at Fig. 26;

Fig. 26 is a sectional view taken substantially.on line 2626 of Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 27-27 of Fig. 25

Fig. 28 is a sectional =view on line 2828 of Fig. 3, illustrating the control of guide 37; and

lr ig. 29 is a face view of the cam member 16 Referring to the drawings, in which the preferred embodiment of my invention is shown. it may be mentioned that the machine consists of a suitable base provided. with atable or bottle carrier for receiving the empty bottles, carrying them during the filling and thereafter discharging them together with a milk container arranged to discharge into one or more bottles at the same time, and a capper for placing caps on' the filled bottles. In operation the milk is placed into the milk receptacle and the empty bottles on the carrier, and the bottles are automatically filled,-capped and dis charged at a convenient point from whence they may be taken and shipped in cases or as desired. It may be mentioned that while the device may be so constructed as to be used in filling other than milk bottles, I have illustrated the milk bottle filling and capping machine. this particular machine being arranged to handle bottles of various sizes, the same being so constructed that it may be quickly changed for various sizes of bottles so that in smaller bottling plants one machine will sutfice for all purposes, and

in larger plants any number of machines may be employed, each one of which may be adjusted to the particular bottles to be filled.

As most clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 1 represents a suitable table base or bed provided with supporting legs 2, or the equivalent for the purpose. Arranged above the table or bed 1 is a movable, as shown rotatable, table 3. the same being centrally maintained in place over the bed 1 by the shaft 4 which extends through the bearing 5 to the base and the hub 6, and through the table 3. As shown, shaft 4 is slidable in the hub 6, but is driven and rotates with the table owing to the key' 7. The lower end of the shaft 4 is supported in the construction shown by an adjustable bearing 8. as will be more fully explained hereafter, while at the upper end and carried thereby is the milk or liquid container 9. It may be mentioned that the receptacle 9, shaft 4 and table 3 rotate together on the base. The table 3 may be driven in any suitable manner. As shown, the same is provided with a gear 12 on the under side arranged to mesh with the driving pinion 13 (see Figs. 1, 7 and 8). The pinion 13 is driven from a shaft 14 extending through bearing 17 on the bed 1, and is pro vided with a driving pulley 15 over which extends the belt 16. A clutch or equivalent means may be provided for connecting the pulley 15 with the shaft 14, as will be more fully explained hereafter. I have also arranged a bearing 18 at one side carrying a shaft 21, which is arranged to be driven by a pinion 19 in mesh with the gear 12, thisoperating the capping mechanism to be explained hereafter. At one side of the rotatfilled by the character E, the bottles which are being filled or are filled by I the filled bottles which are ready to be discharged from the table by D, and the bottles capped or 'being capped by C. The empty bottles may be placed on the rotating table substantially at any point between the capping mechanism and the guide member 29, the same being automatically fed into proper po sition to be filled and thence automatically discharged under the capper, capped and automatically moved from thereunder. I have shown a filler member 190 which prevents more than one bottle to be placed in each empty bottle space, it being understood that one or-the equivalent may be provided for each space. In the particular construction of machine shown, I provide the receptacle 9 with a plurality of discharge spouts having suitable valves, so that when the bottles are lifted to the spouts and held there, milk will flow from the receptacle into the bottles and be automatically shut off at the time the bottles are lowered from under the spouts. The valve mechanism, etc, will be explained in detail hereafter, and I shall first explain the mechanism for lifting and carrying the bottles during the filling.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4, I, 19, 20 and 24 to 27, the table 3 is provided with the desired number of bottle carriers 27, each of which is preferably carried by a vertical movable rod 28. As shown in Fig. 4, the bottles E as first placd on the table 3 are not on the carriers 27. They travel around with the table until they successively engage with the guide member 29, which, as the table rotates, causes .the bottles E carried thereby to move inwardly toward shaft 4, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4, to a point where the same will be engaged by guide 30, and the same moves between the guides 31 and 35, being assisted in its movement by arm 39. As shown, guide 31 and guide 35 are connected by a yoke 32. and the same connected-by an arm or link 33 with an arm 34 loosely arranged on shaft 4, the same being carried by the part 34 (see Figs. 3 and 1). Arm 31 is of such length and so controlled that as the bottle E (see Fig. 4) travels along with the table 3, it will be brought over carrier 27 adjacent, and centered, the member 40 cooperating in centering the same on the carrier for lifting. Arm 3.5 is arranged to guide the filled bottles D to the capping mechanism, the extreme end 37 being preferably hinged to 35 and brought down to the controlling mechanism hereafter described (see Fig. 28).

Rod 28 extends through a bearing 43 carried on the under side of the table 3 by the parts 44, the same being so arranged that the carrier 27 may drop flush with the table 3, as shown in Figs. 20, 25 and26. Adrain opening 45 may be provided, as shown, if

desired. Any suitable means may beprovided for preventing turning or rotation of the carrier 27 and shaft 28. A rod 46 extending through an opening in the part 44 serves to prevent any of the centering members 40 from accidentally getting under the carrier 27 during the elevating operation (Figs. 4, 19 and 20). Part 43 is formed with an extension 48 at one side, through which passes a pin 49, and secured to the pin 49 are arms 50 and 51 (Figs. 25, 26, 27). As shown, keys 52 secure the arms on the pin. The free ends of the arms 50 and 51 are connected by links 55 to a cross head 57, a pin 56 securing the parts 'together. As shown, the cross head 57 is formed with a recess 58 arranged to receive the lower end of the rod 28. On one arm, as shown on arm 51, is provided a cam member 59 which is provided with a cam face 60, as well as with a pin 61. The cam face 60 is arranged to cooperate with the roll 63 (see Fig. 19) arranged on the bed 1 (see Fig, 7), and carried by a bracket 64. Pin 61 is arranged to coact with the roll 65 carried by bracket 66 on the bed 1. Roll or cam member, as the case may be, 63 is arranged to rock the arms 50 and 51 into the position shown in Fig. 19, so as to raise carrier 27 as shown. in Fig.19, while roll 65 is arranged to coact wvith the pin- 61 to turn the sanTe, backso that the bottle and carrier 27 willbe lowcred. In Fig. 20 the roll 63 i"s shown in dotted outline about to'engagethe cam, and

the roll 65 in full outline. In Fig. 19 roll 63- is shown in full outline having raised the bottle and carrier. while roll 65 is shown in dotted outline illustrating how it will engage the pin 61 after the table 3 has been rotated around to apoint to engage the same. In this connection, a guard or safety device 70 (Figs. 1, 3 and 7) 18 arranged on the bed 1. so that when the carrier is raised or lowered, there can be no chance for anyone to trip and lower the parts before the roll 65 is reached. It will be noted, howeved, that, as shown in Fig. 19, when the member 59 is in the position shown in this figure with the bottles in-filling position, the same is past the center so that the weight of the parts maintain it .in that position unis a sleeve 76 which is preferably provided with a flange 77 and a washer 78 of rubber or other suitable material. At the lower end of part 74 is arranged a ring or stop member 79, forming a stop for the sleeve 76. Packing material 80 is preferably arranged as shown. The sleeve member 76 is normally maintained in the position shown in Figs. 21 and 22, as well as Fig. 20, by a spring 81, or equivalent means for the purpose, which bears against the flange 77 and.

tends to maintain the sleeve 76, which may be termed the valve member, in closed position. When, however, a bottle is lifted under a discharge nozzle, as shown in Fig. 19, the bottle raises sleeve 76 or the valve so that the contents of receptacle 9 can flow down and out through the openings into. the bottle. In order "to permit the escape of air from the bottle, I prefer to provide the pipes 82, each extending with its lower end at the bottom of part 74 and its upper end into the receptacle above thelevel of the milk, as shown in F ig, 3. It will be noted .connected to the part 37. This shaft is arranged tobe actuated by a lever 89, and 90 is an indicating scale or gage whichnnay be provided with one or more notches 91 arranged to cooperate with the locking member 92 on the handle 89. l have shown a gage marked for quarts, 'pints and half pints. Shaft 86 is also connected by means of the rod 94' (Fig. 3) to an arm 95 arranged to actuate a shaft 96 which carries 1 member 102. When one of the members 101 an arm-97 arranged to cooperate with the members 41 which control the members 40, as will'be more fully explained hereafter. As most clearly shown in Fig. 4, I also provide members 99 mounted on the table 3, 100 being movable extensions for parts 99, these being mounted on small shafts 101 which project through the table as most clearly shown in Figs. land 7. The ends are arranged to cooperate with a 'cam member 102 mounted at a desired point on the bed 1. The cam member 102 is preferably made adjustable, and is controlled. in the construction shown, by the lever 89. As shown, an arm 104 is secured on shaft 86, and the latter is connected by rod 103 withthe cam comes in contact with the cain 102 which throws the arm 100 substantially as shown in Fig. 6, and gages or centers the bottle under the capping mechanism. After passing by the cam, however, member 100 Wlll swing back as shown in Fig.- 5, so that it at the desired point. I have shown a very simple and satisfactory device in which the receptacle may be raised or lowered by power, the same being so arranged that there is no danger of the bottles being broken, or the device adjusted carelessly so that the milk will overflow. In other words, the device will substantially work automati cally in setting itself to the desired point. Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 16 to 18 inclusive, the base is provided with a central part 5' which carries an internally threaded part 108. The member 8 is arranged with a thread to engage the part 108, and is also provided with gear teeth 109. The end of shaft 4 is arranged to be supported on the bearings 110, or their equivalents for the purpose. Raising or lowering member 8 varies the distance between the receptacle and table 3 as desired.

. As shown, shaft 4 is provided with an extending part 111, the same being slotted to receive a key or clutch member 112 which is slidable in the slot. A gear 115 is also provided, and member 112 isso arranged that it may .be moved into engagement with the clutch recess 114 on member 8. or 116 on member 115. Gears 117 mounted on the stub shaft 118 are arranged to mesh with the gear teeth 109 on part 8 and on menr her 115 so that the direction of the rotation of the part 8 to raise or lower the as sociated parts depends upon whether the key 112 is engaged with the part 8 or the gear 115. The member 112 is arranged to be actuated or controlled by a rod 113, or its equivalent, which is connected with the cross piece 119secured by links 120 to a yoke member 121 provided with a handle 122. 122 is pivotally supported at 123 and has an operating handle grip 124. I have also shown an indicating plate or gage 125, which may be provided with notches 126 arranged to coact with the engaging mem ber 127. I have shown a plate125 provided with characters for indicating quarts, pints and half pints. Theoperation of this mechanism will be hereafter described in the operation of the device. i

The bottle capping mechanism is clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 9 .to 15 inclusive. Referring to Figs. 1, 9 andlO, the stationary table part 24 is provided with the slot 129 adjacent the upright 128 which carries .a portion of the capping mechanism, the

standard 128 being adjacent the shaft 21 previously referred to. Extending through the slot 129 is a finger 130 which is arranged to push the bottles from under the capping machine after the same have been capped. Finger 130 is mounted on the bar 131 carried by brackets 132, the same being normally maintained in the position shown in Fig. 10 by a spring 133, or equivalent means for the purpose. Bar 131 is connected by a link 134 having one end provided with an eccentric strap 135 carried by the eccentric member 136. The eccentric 136 is carried on arm 137 which is secured to shaft 21. Slidably mounted on the standard or upright 128 is a sleeve 139 which is operatively connected with an arm 140 pivotally connected at 141 to the arm 137. As shown, sleeve 139 is provided witha pin 143 which is connected by the arm 142, to the arm 140, the arrangement in the preferred construction being such that in case of emergency the capping mechanism will be flexible and not break the bottles or the mechanism.

The connection, however, is such that the same may be adjusted for various sized bottle's. As shown, member 140 telescopes in'to member 142, a sleeve 144 being arranged as shown with a spring 145 between the sleeve and barrel 142, 142 being provided with the flange 143. 146 is a stop for preventing accidental separation of the parts. Extending through 140 and engaging with the sleeve 144 is a pin 147, this being arranged to extend through a slot 152 and the tubular member 142. As is most clearly shown in Fig. 12. member 140 is provided with a slot 151 with the enlarged portions 148, 149 and 150, and the pin 147 is made of a size or shape so that'it'may be turned by handle 153 and member 142 raised so as to vary the length between the pin 143 and the pin 141. Normally the pull is transmitted bemeaaio tween members 140 and 142 through the spring 145, which is still enough to operate the capper, but which will give should the bottle not be centered properly, be of an improper or varied size,or for some other reason the capper did not ivork as intended. In other words, this is'a safety. device in the event of possible trouble.

lReferrin to Figs. 13, 14 and 15, sleeve 139 is p'rovidecT with the plun or 156 which is carried upon the exten ing part 155. Plunger 156 is slidablv arrangedwithin a tubular part or barrel 157,, which is formed with a flared lower end 158. As most clearly shown in Fig. 15, the flared end 158 fits over the top of the bottle and centers the mouth of the bottle with the plunger, the lower end of the plunger being formed as at 159 to fit into the bottle and push the cap into place. The caps may be fed into the capper under the plunger in any suitable manner. As shown, I arrange the caps 164 at one side supported by the extensions 161,

a space 165 being provided through which the caps are pushed singly over the top of the bottle and thence seated by the plunger.

A cap container 163 is-shown arranged in theextending part 162, and -it may be men tioned that container 163 may be a carton or shipping tube into which the caps are stored and he t in' a sanitary condition. When the supply in the capper is exhausted a new tube 163 may be inserted in 162, the caps feeding down by gravity, which may be supplemented by a spring, weight or the equivalent, arranged at the top. Carried by the portion of the flange 161 is a rotatable standardor rock shaft 165 which carries the member 166 having a cam member 167 provided with a cam slot 168. Spring 167 may be provided to assist in retrieving the cam member and parts. The plunger 156 carries a cam roll 170, or the equivalent, which projects through the opening or slot 169 and engages in the cam groove 168. The shaft 165' carries a member 164 which is of a size to extend through the opening 165 and push the caps in. a circular movement one at a timethrough opening 165 over the bottle mouth. Member-164', however, is of such size that a portion of-the same will remain under the stack of caps so that the same may be retrieved so as to engage the succeeding cap.

The operation of my machine may be briefiy described as follows. Assuming that shait 14 is driven by means of the pulley 15 and belt- 16, or equivalent means. The table 3 is driven by shaft 13, engaging the gear 12, driving the same in the direction indicated in Fig. 4. It may be assumed that empty bottles E are arranged on the table, it being understood that these are continually added, that bottles F are in filling positions as shown, bottles D are in the posishown removed in order to stantially as shown in Fig. 19, so that milk flows from the receptacle 9 into the bottle as the table continues to travel. The carriers 27 have been raised by the engagement of the cam member 65 with the roller 63. As the table continues to move it successively carries the bottles E, shown between mem-' bers and 31, and member 31 continues to cause the same to slide on the table 3 to bring the same over the approaching carrier 27 shown adjacent, and as the same is centered on the carrier, the same passes beyond the end of 36, the finger 40 pushing the same into position on the carrier as necessary. The succeeding empty bottles E are brought between members 31 and 35 and placed on the carriers, the same passing between the carriers, being fed along by the members 29 and 30 and arms 39, which tend to push, the same toward the center. The bottles continue to fill, and if filled before reaching the point at which the cams descend and shut off the supply, the milk is prevented from overflowing by the washer 78. When the carrier has traveled and reaches the position where the pin 61 will engage with the cam rolle'r 65, the carrier is lowered, the milk being automatically shut oil. It will be noted that the carriers 27 a fter rising. are in raised positions until they have passed through the space between guides 29 and 31, the d stance being suilicicnt to-permit the passage 01' stem 28 between the guides. The filled bottle being carried on the carrier is. of course, above the guides at this point and. consequently, does not interfere therewith. As the bottle passes on, on the outside of member 30, it is gradually moved toward the outside edge of the table by the member 35. the same working over onto the table 24, the arm 99-100 tending to more the same after it engages with the table, pushing it oil. When member 100 comes adjacent the cam member 102, as shown in l ig. 6, the member 101 throws the member 100 substantially as shown in this figure, so that the bottle is pushed over under the capping mechanism, at which time member 100 releases the same. At this time the arm 137 has traveled to. a point to move sleeve 139 downward, carrying with it the plunger 156 and the barrel 157. The barrel 157 stops, however, upon engagement with the mouth otahe bottle, and in the meantime, as the plunger travels down, the cam roller 170. operating in the cam groove 168, turns shaft 165' so as to bring the cap over the bottle, at which time the plunger'pushes the cap into position and seats it. It will be particularly noted that if the bottle is not below the capping mechanism to receive a cap, barrel 157 and parts carried thereby travel with the plunger 156, consequently the cam mem -ber 167 is inoperative, and the caps are not fed under the plunger. Another thing to be noted is the fact that the capping mechanism being driven by or in conjunction with the table, the same is so timed that the table mechanism brings the bottle to capping position before the capping mechanism operates so that there is no chance'for one or the other to be in operation or operative position except at a proper time. As the shatt mit the passage of the rods or stems 28 between the same, it being understood that they may be as close together as to be operative, or if desired, a swinging bridging member arranged, which will spring or move to let the stems pass through and then close so as to engage the bottle. It might be also mentioned that in the preferred construction of machine shown, the

bottles E first pass from the outer edge of the table toward the center between the bottles F and then" move outwardly from the center of the table to a point over the carriers, and from the carriers ove outwardly onto .the receiving o1" capping table 24, a

In case it is desired to fill another size bottle, for illustration a pint bottle, lever 89 (Figs. 6 and 7) is moved to the position indicating pints and this throws member 97, which controls arms or fingers 4:0, as

' Well as adi'usts membersBO, 35 and 31 so as to p'ropery guide the smaller size bottle both onto-the carrier as wellas under the capping mechanism. At the same time, lever 122 is adjusted for pints, and in this case the clutch member 112 is brought into engagement with the gear 115. However, shaft 4 and its extended end 111 is rotating, and through the clutch member the gear 115 is rotated, driving gears 117, and through these gears 8, causing gear 8, which forms an end bearing for shaft 4, to travel downward, thereby lowering the receptacle. When pin 127 engages with the notch 126 for pints, clutch member 112 is locked in position, and as parts 8 and 115 travel downward, the clutch member releases gear 115 so that no power is transmitted to 8, consequently the same remains stationary. It will be articularly noted that the same is automatic in operation, that is, as soon as the clutch member is locked, the parts disengage and automatically stop. The above changes from pints to half pints are similar, and from half pint to pint or quart is just the reverse.

It will thus be seen that the machine described is rapid and automatic in operation, that the same may be adjusted in a simple manner so as to fill various sized bottles. One man may easily and efliciently handle the machine to till the bottles without danger of breaking the bottles or loss of milk. The machine as constructed alsooperates so that all of the parts cooperate in such manner that one mechanism cannot lag or speed up, indcpem'lently of any of the others. consequently no great skill is required in operating the machine, it only being necessary to place empty bottles on the table 3. remove the filled and capped bottles from table 24, keep the fluid in the container and caps in the cap container. In the case of adjusting the machine for difi'erent sized bottles, operation of levers 89, 124 and lever 153 sets all of the parts in proper positions for the different sized bottle. I have shown the bottle carriers 27 ot' a size to accommodate one bottle, but it will be obvious that the same may be so proportioned as to carry more than one bottle. and the spouts or discharge pipes from the container arranged in multiple for each carrier. This would increase the capacity of the machine. In view of the fact that this is a mere deflection or change in proportion of parts. the controlling mechanism for the carrier being the same, I have not considered it necessarv to illustrate this in detail Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifica tions may be made in the same without dearting from the spirit of my invention. ence I do not wish to be understood as l miting myself to the exact form, construct on, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned. 1

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine of the kind described and in combination. a rotatable table. a support for said table, a fluid container arranged above said table provided with means for adjustably supporting the same and rotating the container with the table, said container provided with a pluralitv of discharge pipes on the under side thereof and with a valve for each pipe for controlling the passage oi fluid therethi'ough. a plurality of vcitical movable bottle carriers carried by said rotatable table said carriers loo arranged one under each discharge pipe on said container. ad ustable means for succcssivel moving bottles from the outer edge of saw table toward the center thereof cessively lifting the carrier and bottle car ried thereby a distance to engage and open the valve at the discharge pipe thermibove, means for successively lowering said carriers after a predetermined travel of said table. a receiving table arranged at one side of said rotatable table, means for Sllt'tftssively moving the bottles from the lowered carriers outwardly from the center of the table on to said receiving table.

In a machine of the kind described and in combination, a rotatable table. a support for said table. a fluid container arranged above said table provided with means for adjustably supporting the same and rotating the container with the table. said container provided with a plurality of discharge pipes on the under side thereof and with a valve for each pipe for controlling the passage of fluid therethrough. a plurality of vertically movable bottle carriers carried by said rotatable table. said carriers arranged .one under each discharge pipe on said container. means for successively moving bottles from the outer edge of said table toward the center beyond said, carriers. adjustable means for successively waiving the bottles outwardly from the center on said carriers and centering each bottle on its respective carrier. and means for thereafter successively lifting the carrier and bottle carried thereby a distance to engage and open the valve atthe discharge pipe thereabove, means for successively lowering said carriers after apredetermined travel of said table, a receiving table arranged at one side. of said rotatable table. means for successively moving the bottles from the lowered carriers outwardly from the center of the table on to said receiving table.

:5. In a machine of the kind described and in combination, a rotatable table. means for supporting the same, means for driving said table. a fluid container and adjustable means for supporting said container and rotating the v ame with said table, including ashaft arranged at one end to support said container and projecting through said table. said sha ft being slidably connected with the table wlu'a-cby rotation of the table is transmitted to the shaft. and means below said table for adjustablv supporting the shaft comprising a member having a bearing for the lower end of said shaft and provided with a thread upon its exterior. a sleeve carricd by said table. support and threaded internally to engage the thread on said member, and means for operatively connecting said shaft and member whereby the member will rotate with the shaft and move lengthwise said sleeve.

4. In a machine of the kind described and in combination, a rotatable table, means for supporting the same, means for driving said table, a fluid container and adjustable means for supporting said container and rotating the same with said table, including a shaft arranged at one end to support said 0011- tainer and projecting through said table,

said shaft being slidably connected with the table whereby rotation of the table is transmitted to the shaft, means below said table for adjustably supporting the shaft comprising a member having a bearing for the lower end of said shaft and provided with a thread upon its exterior, a sleeve carried by said table support and threaded internally to engage the thread on said member. and means for operatively connecting said shaft and memberwhereby the member will rotate with the shaft and move lengthwise said sleeve in a desired direction to lower or raise the shaft and container relative the table.

5. In a machine of the kind described and in combination, a rotatable milk container, a rotatable table arranged therebelow and means for driving said table and container, said table provided with a plurality of vertically movable bottle carrying members. each member comprising a disc having a depending Stem. a cam member operatively connected with said stem, means for actuating said cam member to raise said stem and disc. and means for actuating said cam to lower said stem and disc.

6. In a machine of the kind described and in con-ibination, a rotatable milk container, a rotatable table arranged therebelow and means for driving said table and container, said table provided with a plurality of vertically movable bottle carrying members, each member comprising a disc having a depending stem. a cam member operatively connected with said stem, means for actuating said cam member to raise said stem and disc, means for actuating said cam to lower said stem and disc, means arranged adja-- centthe table for centering the bottles on said discs, and means for removing the bottles from said discs.

7 In a bottle filling machine of the kind described and in combination, a movable table. a container arranged thereabove and movable therewith, a plurality of bottle carriers mounted on said table and.movable therewith. and means mounted adjacent said table and arranged to cooperate therewith for successively engaging the empty bottles :arried thereby and guiding the same inwardly toward the center of the table and thence sliding the same outwardly onto the carriers, and after an interval for filling supporting means to raise or lower the conv tainer relative to the table, means for engag ing and sliding the bottles on said table inwardly toward the center of the table and thence outwardly of the table in a predetermined manner, means for filling said bottles, and means for adjustably controlling said engaging means.

9. In a bottle filling machine of the kind described and in combination, a rotatable table, a container arranged thereabove and movable therewith, a plurality of bottle carriers mounted on said table and movable therewith, and stationary means mounted adjacent and above said table for successively engaging the empty bottles carried on the table and sliding them on the table between the carriers toward the center of the table, thence sliding thesame outwardly and on to the carriers and centering the same thereon, and means for thereafter engaging the filled bottles and sliding the same oil the table.

10. In a machine of the kind described and in combination, a rotatable table, means for supporting and driving said table, a plurality of bottle carriers mounted on the table and movable therewith, said carriers flush with the top of the table when in their lowered positions vhereby bottles on the table may Slide on to the carriers, and means for sliding empty bottles on the table on the outer edge thereof toward the center of the table between the carriers carrying filled bottles, means for sliding the filled bottles off the carriers, and means for then sliding the said empty bottles outwardly on to a carrier, and means for centering the bottles on the carriers.

11. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a table rotatable on a vertical axis, a. plurality of vertically movable carriers arranged about the axis of rotation of the table, means for moving the bottles from points between the carriers and the axis of rotation of the table and sliding the same on the table on to the carriers, and means for moving the bottles from the carriers outwardly from the center of the table after a partial rotation of the table.

12. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a table rotatable on a vertical axis, a plurality of vertically movable carriers arranged about the axis of rotation of the table and equidistant therefrom, means for moving the bottles outwardly from points between the carriers and the axis of rotation of the table and sliding the same on the table on to the carriers, and means for moving the bottles from the carriers outwardly from the center of the table after a partial rotation of the table.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROLLO L; NICHOLAS. Witnesses Roy IV. I'IILL, Cnrmmcs I. Conn. 

